Oak truck



May 31,1927- B. W. KADEL CAR TRUCK Filed May 12 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l 44;; attain? May 31, 1927; 1,630,569

B. w. KADEL.

' CAR TRUCK Filed May 1?.v 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 31, lg if.

v a.- a

BYERS W'. KADEL, 01" BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

can TRUCK.

This invention relates to railway car trucks and, more particularly, to the construction of the side frames and associated spring plank, spring plates and bolster for 5 the accommodation of an additional spring unit for providing increased capacity.

. Th principal object of my invention, generally considered, is the construction ofside frames, spring plank, bolster and. spring l0 plates associated therewith, for using an e21- tra spring unit for increasing truck capacity without radically changing the various parts.

An object of my invention is the employment of an A. R. A. standard four unit nest of springs with the longitudinally arranged transversely spaced pairs of spring units more widely spaced transversely, with an additional spring unitcentrally positioned .with respect thereto, whereby increased truck capacity is secured, the side frames, spring plank, spring plates and bolster Icing modilied to the necessary extent for efliciently accomplishing such a result.

Another object of my invention is the de sign of the side frames, spring plank, bolster and associated spring plates for permitting the employment of an additional spring unit with each side frame associated with four Standard spring units which are transversely spaced more widely than normal for acco1nmodating said additional unit, the spring plank seat portions of the side frames being constructed and reinforced by webs or brackets and ribs or flanges so that a. spring plank seat of adequate area and sufi'icient strength is provided for supporting the plank and its associated springs, spring plates and bolster.

A furthereobject of my invention is the utilization of an additional spring unit of corresponding size with an A. R. A. standand four unit nest of springs positioned on spring plates with an associated spring plank, bolster and side frame so that theentire group balances about the longitudinal center line of the frame, the standarn nest of springs, for that purpose, being normally spaced longitudinally of the side frame but being more widely spaced transversely of the side frame to receive the additional unit centrally thereof, the associated spring plank being normal width but of incre sed length and formed with a boss at its end for limiting outward shifting of'the springs.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of an additional spring unit associated with an A. R. A. standard four unitnest of springs for increasing the capacity of trucks with which employed, said additional spring unit being positioned centrally with respect to the four standard spring units, the associated spring plates bcmg formed to correspond with and receive the additional spring unit and provided with locating bosses arranged on the longitudinal center line of gravity of the complete five unitnest of springs, whereby said bosses are adapted for reception in standard positioning apertures in the associated spring plank and bolster, said spring plank being formed of normal width and correspondingly increased length and provided on each end thereof with a boss for limiting the outward shifting of the assembled springs, the complete nest of springs being disposed so that its center of gravity lies on the longitudinal center line of the associated side frame, said spring plates being each formed with a pair of inwardly directed bosses provided with apertures for receiving retaining means, said bosses being of such a height or depth that short enough retaining means may be em ployed to obviate providing apertures in the spring plank and side frame for receiving the same upon compression of the springs.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating m invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a. car truck, certain parts being shown partly in section on the line 1-1 of Figure 3, particularly illustrating the construction and arrangement of the various members in the neighborhood of the bolster springs.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View on the line 3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction a? sigma/ Figure 4 is a plan of the spring plank seat portion of the side frame, the position of the springs thereover being indicated diagrammatically by dot and dash lines.

Figure 5 is a top plan of a bottom spring plate and is also a bottom plan of a top spring plate.

Figure 6 is a partial sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, a truck side frame 1 is shown tions thereof, While the tension member 3, beneath the bolster opening 5, is generally box shape in cross section. In the presentembodiment, the tension member 3, beneath the bolster opening, is formed with an upper web 6, a lower web 7, a front or outer web 8 and a rear or inner web 9, said webs 8 and 9 being substantially upright on either side of the bolster opening but flared diagonally upward and outward beneath the spring plank seat portion under the bolster opening for more efiiciently supporting the springs positioned thereovcr. The web 7 is preferably formed of substantially uniform width and the side webs S and 9 extend from the edges thereof to the upper web 6. In order to form a spring plank seat portion ofample width, the web 6 is extended laterally beyond the upper edges of the webs 8 and 9 forming outward or front flange or shelf portions 10 and inward or rear flang V or shelf portions 11.

The spring plank 12 preferably rests directly on the upper web 6 of the tension member which forms the s ring plank seat portion and the upper surface of said seat portion is preferably provided with A. R. A. standard squaring lugs 13 which engage in corresponding apertures 14 in the spring plank for maintaining the desired relation between the spring plank and side frame. The end of the plank 12 is preferably formed with an embossmen-t or boss '15, which may he of standard construction but positioned at a correspondingly greater distance from the center of the plank, to limit the outward shifting of the associated spring group. The length of the spring plank is greater than the standard spring plank because of the additional spring group or unit with which it is adapted to be used. The widthof said plank, however, may be standard because the corresponding dimension of the nest of springs may be the same as that of the standard nest of springs. As shown most clearly in Figures 1 and 2, the spring plank 12 is preferably of channel construe tion and the web thereof is formed with spring plate locating apertures 16 so positioned that, when the spring plank is assembled with the side frame, said apertures are located on the longitudinal center line of the frame.

Positioned on the web of the spring plank 12 is a spring plate 17 provided with locating bosses or extensions 18 engaging in'thc apertures 16 of the spring plank to properly position the spring plate and associated spring units 19. In the embodiment illustrated, the bosses are formed by pressing substantially conical extensions downwardly from the spring plate 17 but it is obvious that they may be made in any desired manner. In accordance with my invention', I preferably employ an 'A. R. A standard four unit nest of springs which ispositioned on the spring plate 17 and arranged as two pairs of longitudinally disposed spring units, said pairs being more widely spaced on either side of the longitudinal center line of the side frame than normal for receiving an additional spring unit'20 centrally thereof. Each of the groups of springs or spring units 19 and 20 preferably comprises, in accordance with usual practice, an outer coil 21 and an inner coil 22. All of the springs are directly positioned on the spring plate 17 and properly located with respect thereto by means of upstanding annular flanges or collars 23 which engage the innermost springs 22 of the spring groups or units 19 and 20.

In order to accommodate the extra spring group or unit 20, the spring plate 17 is correspondingly extended in area, as shown most clearly in Figure 5, and formed with five instead of four spring locating collars 23. The additional group or pair of springs 20 is preferably centrally located with respect to the other units 19 in accordance with the normal spacing between such springs and lies, when assembled, on approximately the-longitudinal center line of the side frame so that the entire group balances about said longitudinal center line, that is, its center of gravity corresponds therewith. The locating bosses 18 are like wise arranged so that they lie on the longitudinal center line of the side frame when the parts are assembled and, therefore, are in line with the positioning collar for the extra central spring group 20, as shown most clearly in Figure 5.

The upper spring plate 24 may be identical .spring retaining bolt apertures.

with the lower spring plate'17. but is reversed in position so that the collars 23 thereon extenddownwardly and engage the inner springs 22 of the spring groups or units 19 and 20, the-outer springs 21 being properly positioned by being wound in the opposite direction compared-with the inner springs and closely encircling the inner springs with normal clearance therebetween. The locating bosses 18 on the upper spring plate 24 extend upward and engage in corresponding apertures 25 in the truck bolster 26. On account of thewider spacing of the original springs of the standard four unit nest of springs, it is desirable to extend the substantially horizontal spring engaging web or face 27 of the bolster'QG inwardly to 28 and the bolster is preferably of a length corresponding with the increased length of the spring plank. Inasmuch, however, as the widthof the bolster is greater than the corresponding dimension of the nest of springs, the side portions of the web 27, beyond the innermost pair of spring units 19, may extend downwardly and inwardly from a point 29 nearer the side frame and the section modulus of the bolster at the mutualpoint, as shown in Figure 6, be correspondingly increased by the provision of the depending ribs 30. i

For retaining the spring plates 17 and 24 in the desired assembled relation with respect to the springs therebetween and placing the springs under any desired slight amount of initial stress or compression, there is preferably provided a pair of embossments 31 on .each spring plate extending toward corresponding embossments on the other spring plate and apertured centrally at 32 for receiving retaining bolts or the like 33, the heads of said bolts being adapted to receive the shoulders of the embossed portions around the apertures 32 of one spring plate and the nuts on the other ends of the bolts being adapted to similarly engage with the other spring plate. These embossments 31 are preferably extended to a height or depth so that the bolts 33 used therewith may be short enough to obviate the necessity of providing retaining bolt apertures in the spring plank seat portion of the side frame and/or the associated spring plank, in accordance with usual practice. Such a construction obviates the necessity of providing the usual The embossments 31 are preferably, though not necessarily, positioned as indicated on the longitudinal center line of the side frame and formed in correspondingly extended portions of the spring plates provided within the clearance limits between the flanges of the spring plank and bolster guiding portions of the side frame.

The spacing of the standard or outer four spring units is preferably standard longinormal clearance therebetween, it will be apparent that the spring arrangement is rectangular in outline with the long axis of the rectangle extending transversely of the side frame and being considerably longer than the short axis thereof which extends longitudinally of the side frame.

For adequately reinforcing the spring plank seat or upper web 6 of the tension member 3 for supporting the novel arrangement of springs in accordance with my invention, said web 6 is preferably formed and reinforced as most clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4. It will be apparent that the front or outer edge of the web 6 is extended to increase said'web to a maximum width below the outer spring units and extended at uniform width between said outer spring units. A similar construction is provided beneath the inner pair of spring units. Approximately directly beneath the outer springs, the extended flange or ledge is preferably reinforced and braced with'respect to the web 8 by means of web or bracketportions 34, the free edges of which may be curved or formed convex outwardly, as illus trated, and the inwardly extending flange 11 may be similarly reinforced by correspondingly shaped web or bracket portions 35 extending directly beneath the inner spring units between the flange or ledge 11 and the inner web 9.

As a further reinforcement for the spring plank seat portion of the web 6 of the tension member, a transverse web or rib 36 may be provided extending directly beneath the central spring unit between side webs 8 and 9 and formed with a concave lower edge as illustrated particularly in Figurs 3 although, if desired, the lower or free edge thereof may be straight. From a consideration of Fig ure 4, particularly, it will be apparent that the webs or brackets 34 and 35 together with the web or rib 36 are positioned most efiiciently for adequately supporting the springs positioned thereabove especially as the efficiency of the arrangement is increased by the outward and upward flaring of the webs 8 and 9 directly beneath the spring plank seat portion of the frame. It will be apparent that although the aforedescribed reinforcement is especially designed for the five unit nest of springs arranged in accordance with my invention, yet it is admirably adapted for supporting the A. R. A.

standard four unit nest of springs when the same are positioned so that the center of gravity thereof lies on the longitudinal center line ofthe side frame.

From the foregoing disclosure, it will be seen that I have devised a construction which provides for a twenty-five per cent increase in spring capacity without radically changing the construction of the side frame, spring plank and associated bolster. Although the arrangement is especially adapted for increasing the spring capacity of fifty-five ton side frames yet, as is obvious, it is not limited to such use. \Vith the modified side frame and bolster, the A. R. A. standard four unit nest of springs, used with a standard spring plank or one lengthened at its ends to accommodate my novel spring arrangement, may be employed interchangeably with the springs and spring plates disclosed in accordance with my invention; although, of course, there will be slightly more clearance at the bolster where the lower web 27 changes from horizontal to downwardly sloping position and, if using the same spring plank, there will be likewise slightly more clearance adjacent the outer embossments 15 thereon; provided a standard retaining bolt aperture is provided in proper position adjacent each end of the spring plank and in the spring plank seat portion of the frame.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath said opening, a five unit nest of springs supported by said seat portion and arranged as two pairs of spring units, each pair being disposed longitudinally of said frame and the springs of each spaced with just sufficient clearance therebetween, said pairs being spaced trans versely of said frame with the fifth spring unit centrally positioned with respect thereto and the entire nest being located so that it balances about the longitudinal center line of the fra'me.

2. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath said opening, a spring plank positioned on said seat portion, a five unit nest of springs sup ported on sirid spring plank above the seat portion of the frame, four of said springs being arranged as a rectangle in outline and formed as two pairs of spring units, said pairs being positioned, respectively, inwardly and outwardly of the longitudinal center line of the associated side frame, the units of each pair being spaced with respect to each other to allow just a normal amount of clearance for avoiding interference and the two pairs being transversely spaced sufficient to allow the fifth spring unit to be positioned centrally with respect to the four spring units, the entire nest of springs beinglocated so that its center of gravity corresponds with the longitudinal center line of the frame.

3. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member and bolster'guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leavin a window opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the window opening, being laterally widened to form a spring plank seat portion, a spring plank supported on said seat portion, a five unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank, four units of said nest of springs being arranged in rectangular formation with the long axis of the rectangle disposed transverselyof the side frame and the short axis of minimum length for normal spacing of said springs, the transverse spacing of the two pairs of spring units being great enough for receiving the fifth spring unit centrally of the. other springs with normal clearance therebetween, the entire nest of springs being positioned so that its center of gravity coincides with the longitudinal center line of the side frame, a bolster, the corresponding end of which is supported by the springs, and retaining means for the springs serving to properly space the same with respect to each other, the spring plank and bolster.

4. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion underlying said opening, a standard four unit nest of springs supported by means of said seat portion and an additional spring unit of the same size as the units of the nest of springs centrally disposed with respect to the four units, the two longitudinally disposed pairs of units, for that purpose, being separated transversely of the frame toward the corresponding sides thereof until just enough clearance is provided for insertion of the fifth spring unit centrally thereof, the combined set of springs being positioned so that its center of gravity lies substantially on the longitudinal center line of the frame.

5'. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath said 0 ning, a spring plank with its correspondii ng end supported on said spring plank seat or 7 tion and in turn supporting a standard our unit nest of springs, the units of said nest, however, being moved transversely or outwardly from the longitudinal center line of the side frame until just enough clearance is provided for the insertion of a fifth spring unit centrally of the other sprin s, said fifth spring unit so positioned an the whole group arranged so that it balances about the longitudinal center line of theside frame, said spring plank being formed with a boss at its end outwardly of the spring for limiting outward. shifting-thereof.

6. In a car truck-in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath said opening, a spring plank positioned on said seat portion, a standard four unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank above the spring plank seat portion of the frame, the units of said nest of springs, however, being more widely spaced transversely of the side frame and a fifth unit centrally disposed with respect thereto, the dimensions of said complete nest of springs corresponding with a standard four unit nest of springs longitudinally of the side frame and being greater transversely of the sideframe only on account of the fifth unit, and the entire nest of springs being positioned so that its center of gravity corresponds with the longitudinal center line of the'frame. v

7. In a car truck, in combination, a side 5 frame formed with a compression member, a

tension member and bolster guidecolumns spacing intermediate portions of the compression and tension members and leaving a window opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the window opening, being laterally widened to form a spring plank seat portion, a spring plank supported on saidseat portion, a standard four unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank, an additional spring unit positioned centrally with respect tosaid four units and said units, for that purpose, being spaced more widely apart transverselyv of the side frame but maintained the same distance apart longitudinally of the side frame, the entire group being arranged so that its center of gravity coincides with the longitudinal center line ofthe side frame, a bolster, the corresponding end of which 1s supported by the springs, spring plates positioned one above and one below said springs and retained by a pair of bolts passing through the plates on the longitudinal center line of the side frame and on opposite sides of the central spring unit, the spring plates, for that purpose, being embossed toward each other and apertured for the ireception of said bolts.

8; In a car truck, in combinatiom'a side frame formed witha'bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath said opening, a standard four unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank seat'portion and more widely spaced laterally, and an additional spring unit positioned centrally with respect to said'four unit nest of springs, the entire grouobeing located so that 1t balances about the longitudinal center llne ,Q. of the frame, spring plates positioned one aboveand one below'said springs and proproperly locating the springs with respect thereto, said spring plates being embossed toward each other 011 the longitudinal center line on opposite sides of the central spring unit and perforated for the reception of retaining means, said embossments being sutiiciently deep to permit the use ofretaining means short enough to avoid the necessity of providing apertures in the associated spring plank for receiving said retaining means upon compression of the springs.

9. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a spring plank seat portion beneath said opening, a spring plank positioned on said seat portion of the frame, a standard four unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank above the seat portion and an additional spring unit positioned centrally of the four unit nest of springs which, for that purpose, are spaced a reater distance apart transversely only of the side frame, spring plates for said springs, said plates being provided with securing means extending 'between the ends thereof on opposite sides of the central spring unitand substantially conical locating bosses arranged to engage in corresponding apertures on approximately the center line of the frame.

10. In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a bolster opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the bolstersection with an upper,relatively: wide web forming .a spring plank seat, portion, a lower web narrower than said upper web, side webs extending, betweenthe edges of said lower web and the upper web, aspring plank supported on said upper web, a four unit nest of springs supported on said'spring plank and a fifth spring unit centrally positioned with respect thereto, said four units, for that purpose, being more widely spaced transversely of the side frame while maintaining a normal dimension longitudinally; of the side frame, said nest of springs being arranged 'so that the center of gravity thereof lies on the longitudinal center line of the side'frame with the center spring unit posiby bracket portions positioned under the inner and outer spring units between the upper web and the inner web and between the upper web and the outer web, respectively, and a rib depending from the upper Web of the tension member between the side webs thereof under the central spring unit of the nest of springs.

I plank upon which rests a five unit nest of spuin s arranged with four of the units space a minimum distance apart longitudinally of the side frame but positioned sufficiently apart laterally of" the side frame for a fifth unit which is positioned centrally Withrespect thereto, the upper web of said box section being widened for adequately supporting the spring plank and springs and theside webs of-the box section, beneath the spring plank seat portion, beingraused to diverge diagonally upward and outward from the lower web portion of the tension member of uniform: avidth so 'that their upperedges entend more nearly beneath the centers of the inner and outer springs, re-

spectively,'of the nest of springs, the maximum divergence occurrin under the inner andouter s rings, respectively, and the side webs exten ing with a uniform. divergence between the units of the innermost and outermost pairs of springs, respectively, the spring plank: seat portion being additionally reinforced? b, depending transverse exten sions below t e units of thenest of springs.

12. In a=car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening and a. spring plank seat portion underlyin said openin a four unit nest of 'springszsupported y means of said seat portion. and an additional spring unit of the same size as 'theunits ofthe'nest of springs centrally disposed with respect toit hefour units, thetwo longitudinally disposed pairs of units, for that purpose, being separated transversely of the frame-towardthe corresponding: sides thereof until just enough clearance is pro: vided for insertion of the fifth springunit centrally thereof, the spring units ofeach pair retainin their same locations longitudinally of t e frame. g

13. Ina car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster openingand: a, spring plank seat 'portionbeneath said'opening, a" spring plankwith" its corrwponding endsupported on said spring plank seat-portion and in turn supporting a standard four unit nest of springs, the units of said nest,

a tension member and bolster guide columns 7 spacing intermediate portions of said com- 11 resrsion and tension members and leaving a bolster opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the bolster opening, being generally box shape in cross section with an upper relatively wide web forming a spring plank seat portion, a lower web narrower than said upper web, side webs extending between the edges of said lower web and the upper web, a spring plank supported on said upper web, a four unit nest of springs supported on said spring plank and a fifth spring unit centrally iposi t-ioned with respect thereto, said four units, for that purpose, being more widely spaced transversely of the side frame while main taining a normal dimension longitudinally of the side frame, said nest of springs being arranged so that the center of gravity thereof lies on the longitudinal center line of the side frame with thecenter spring unit positionedon said center line, the tension member being reinforced for pro erly supporting said springs by the si e Webs being flared upwardly and outwardly beneath the spring plank seat portion so as to more nearly underlie the outermost and innermost pairsof springs-units. I

15; In a car truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member,

a tension member 'and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said -compression and tension members and leavinga bolster opening therebetween, that portion of the tension member, beneath the bolster opening, being formed generally box shape in cross section with an upper relatively wide web serving as a spring plank seat'portion and adapted for supporting a sprin plank upon which rests a five unit nest o springs arranged with four of the units spaced a minimum distanceapart longitudinally of the side frame but positioned sufliciently apart laterally of the side frame for afifth unit which is positioned centrally with respect thereto, the upper web of said box section being widened for adequately supporting the sprin lank and springs, and the side Webs o neath the sring plank seat portion, being caused to diverge diagonally upward and outward from the lower web portion of the ion 1 t ebox section, be-

tension member of uniform width so that their upper edges extend more nearly beneath the centers of the inner and outer springs, respectively, of the nest of springs, the maximum civergence occurring under the inner and outer springs, respectively, and the side webs extending with a uniform divergence between the units of the innermost and outermost pairs of springs, respectively.

16. A side frame for railway car trucks comprising a compression member, a tension member and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a window opening therebetween, that portion of the frame, beneath the window opening, being formed with an upper relatively wide Web serving as a spring plank seat portion, and side webs depending therefrom, said upper web being reinforced by causing the side webs to diverge upwardly and outwardly toward the edges of the spring plank seat por-' tion and transverse webs extending outwardly from the outer side web and inwardly from the inner side web, each of said transverse webs being especially adapted for supporting an overlying spring unit.

17. A side frame for railway car trucks comprising a compression member, a tension member and bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said compression and tension members and leaving a window opening therebetween, that portion of the frame, beneath the window opening, being formed with an upper relatively wide web serving as a spring plank seat portion, and

side webs depending therefrom, said upper web being imperforate and reinforced by causing the side webs to diverge upwardly and outwardly toward the edges of the spring plank seat portion and transverse webs extending outwardly from the outer side web and inwardly from the inner side web, each of said transverse webs being es pecially adapted for supporting an overlying spring unit and a transverse web extending from the upper web between the side webs and especially adapted for supporting a centrally positioned spring unit.

18. A spring plate for a five unit nest of springs formed with annular spring centering flanges for the five units, four of said flanges being disposed as the outline of a rectangle with the fifth centrally dispose til with respect thereto, and apertured embossments positioned on the longitudinal center line of said plate on eiher side of said fifth spring unit and adapted to receive spring retaining means.

19. A spring plate for a five unit nest of springs formed with annular spring centering flanges for the five units, four of said flanges being arranged as a rectangle with the fifth centrally disposed with respect thereto, spaced substantially conical locating bosses arranged on said plate on substantially the longitudinal center line of gravity of the spring arrangement and apertured embossments positionedoutwardly of said bosses on said center line and adapted for receiving spring retaining means.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

" BYERS W. KADEL. 

